India’s food import market continues to grow strongly in 2025–2026, driven by rising consumer incomes, urbanization, dietary diversification, and shifting lifestyles. Food imports remain vital for categories where domestic production doesn’t meet demand — including specialty foods, edible oils, pulses, processed foods, and premium products. The EU–India FTA (2026) marks a major shift in trade relations, lowering barriers on food & beverage imports and paving the way for enhanced European participation in India’s food market. Retailers and food importers stand to benefit from expanded choices and improved pricing, especially in processed foods and high-value imported goods. Ongoing logistics and regulatory improvements are essential to fully capture the opportunities of near-term growth.
Estimated India Food Imports by Category in 2025 (Values / Trends)
1. Edible Oils (Vegetable Oils)
India remains the world’s largest importer of edible oils owing to domestic demand shortages and price factors. Estimated edible oil imports in 2025–26: ~16.7 million tonnes (imports are mostly palm, soyabean, and sunflower oils). Rough import value estimate (2025): ~US $20 billion+ (bulk of edible oils imported).
Key drivers
- Domestic production supplies only ~40 % of needs.
- Import duty cuts (e.g., BCD on crude edible oils down to 10 %) in 2025 support higher volumes.
2. Pulses
India imports pulses to meet consumption shortfalls when domestic output lags production.
Exact 2025 value isn’t published yet, but imports climbed sharply in 2025 on tight supplies. Based on prior patterns, pulses imports could be ~US $2 billion+ in 2025, though subject to crop yields and policy.
3. Fresh & Processed Fruits and Nuts
Data showed significant growth in fruit imports (e.g., berries, cherries, kiwi). Fresh and dried fruits continued their growth trajectory in 2024 and 2025, with the trend of importing health-oriented fruits and nuts strengthening.
Consumer-oriented food imports (including fruits and gourmet items) already reached ~US $8.4 billion in 2024 and will be likely expanded to ~US $9–10 billion in 2025 given continued retail demand.
4. Consumer-Oriented & Processed Foods
With retail modernisation and rising incomes, imported processed foods, health foods, and premium products are growing faster than basic commodities. Includes items like sauces, chocolates, confectionery, snacks, beverages, specialty dairy products (e.g., cheese), and ready-to-eat meals.
Consumer-oriented imports ~US $8.4 billion in 2024 and likely closer to US $9–10 billion in 2025 given growing retail food demand.
New Trade Dynamics: The EU–India Free Trade Agreement
A landmark development for India’s import landscape is the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (EU–India FTA) — signed on 27 January 2026 after nearly two decades of negotiations.
The new deal covers trade between India and the 27-member European Union, representing nearly 2 billion consumers and about 25 % of global GDP. Includes phased tariff elimination or reductions on a broad range of goods — including food, beverages, processed foods, and beverages.
Tariffs on agricultural, food & FMCG products are significantly reduced, with tariffs eliminated on more than 90 % of goods traded by value.
Examples of expected tariff changes:
Wine and spirits duties cut sharply, lowering consumer prices.
Olive oil and certain vegetable oils phased to 0 % within several years.
Processed foods like chocolates, pasta, and bakery items moved towards duty-free access.
Market Access Impact
EU exporters now have deeper access to the Indian market, particularly in food & beverage categories where tariffs were previously high. This is expected to boost the variety of imported foods and drive competitive pricing, benefiting retailers and consumers alike.
While implementation will be phased, early movers — especially European food suppliers — can gain first-mover advantages in key segments.
5 Indian Food Importers
- Kettro Gourmet
Address: A/220, Virwani Indst. Estate
Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400063
Phone: +91 98219 33739
Website: https://kettro.com/ - Paras Exim
Address: Shivoham Apartment, 38 Jatindas Road
Kolkata, West Bengal, 700029
Phone: +91 98365 73777
Website: https://parasexim.com/ - Emmanuel Import and Export
Address: 9, Sukhavastu, Shikhare Wadi
Nashik, Maharashtra, Nashik Division, 422214
Phone: +91 253 246 7946
Website: https://www.facebook.com/theemmanuelgroup/ - ITC Limited
Address: 37 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata, 700071,
West Bengal, Presidency Division
Nashik, Maharashtra, Nashik Division, 422214
Phone: +91 33 2288 9371
Website: https://www.itcportal.com - Empire Foods
Address: Empire Complex, 414 Senapati Bapat Marg, Mumbai, 400013,
Maharashtra
Phone: +91 22 6655 5486
Website: https://www.empirefoods.co.in
To get access to a list of more active food importers from Brazil, you can access one of the BestFoodImporters databases.
